4. Hazelle
Chapter four
Hazelle
The car ride had been rather quiet with Brant driving and Mistress Belle giving Elera extra attention after Vernon’s assault. Watching Mistress Belle react in such a way was…not dissimilar to how Oros would react, but for entirely different reasons. I was his property, and placing a blemish across my face diminished my value.
Mistress Belle demanded Vernon be punished because he harmed what was hers, someone she loved.
I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes after meeting both of them. Their relationship was like nothing I had seen before. Even the relationships I had seen before, the ones I considered the best of what I had come across, paled in comparison.
My heart ached, knowing that I wouldn’t have what they did and had gone so long without knowing it was possible.
Like Mistress Belle said, she hoped she would come to care for me as she did Elera, but I knew the truth. No matter what, I would come last in this. They had each other, and I was an additional piece because they had more to give, but no one would ever come between them.
The second the other demanded time alone or for me to leave, that was it.
I knew my place and would fill it happily because it was far more than I had ever had and far more than I thought I deserved, but I didn’t expect to be as happy and loved as they were. That was all fine though. Truly.
After convincing Mistress Belle that she was all right, they both fell into silence as Elera sat on Mistress Belle’s lap at the back with me on their left side, nibbling on my lip as we went. I wanted to stare at them, memorize every piece, but the curiosity was nearly beaten out of me. I had my moments, but I knew better. Even with them, there would be limits, and my heart raced at the unknown.
Elera would teach me, show me how to please our mistress, but until then, I didn’t want to evoke her wrath as Vernon had done, and poor Brant…one lapse in judgment, one glance away, and he was doomed. I didn’t know what she would do to him, but I hoped he survived it.
“We’re here,” Elera said, nudging me with her slippered foot. “Take a look.”
I looked out the window as we rounded the drive and entered a gate surrounded by stone walls covered in vines and flowers.
Once we passed the obstructions, the mansion came into view. My eyes widened as I took it all in. It was grand but smaller than I expected. She had stated she had more money than the man who was trying to buy me, but this place made it seem like she had less than even Oros.
The small mansion was two stories and made of a deep red brick. The entire left side seemed to be made of windows, and the right had two stacks atop it with windows that signaled bedrooms or smaller areas.
From what I could see through the glass, there was open space with a high ceiling. It was still a rather large house but no match for the other mansions in the area, which boasted many rooms, ballrooms for entertaining, and so on. I had been to a few before I was sold to Oros, then a few more after, but I liked this one the most. It felt more like a home than an estate that was simply meant to impress.
“What do you think?” Mistress Belle asked, and I immediately lowered my head and sat back down.
“It’s lovely,” I whispered, not wanting to offend her in any way.
“Be honest, pet. When I ask a question, I expect pure honesty. I would not ask if I didn’t want the truth.” I watched her head raise and her eyes glare down at me from the corner of my eye.
My heart picked up again, and I wanted to curl in on myself and hide. If Oros had…but she’s not him, and I had to remember that.
“Yes, Mistress Belle.” I took a deep breath and tried to answer her question again, but my voice shook. “It’s lovely but smaller than I expected.”
“You expected something grand and obtrusive. A mansion fit to hold balls and host many people, one that was inviting for dozens of guests to stay.” It wasn’t a question. “That would involve me wanting people at my house. With you two and the staff, what more could I want?”
Mistress Belle smiled, and I couldn’t help but turn and gaze upon her and melt. My heart stuttered, and out of lust instead of fear, another thing that I didn’t expect.
“So you don’t have many visitors?” I covered my mouth and sat back. “Sorry, Mistress Belle, for speaking out of turn. I promise to do better.” My training kicked in, and I waited for my punishment.
Although, Elera had spoken freely before, so maybe…
“Nonsense. Why would I want a silent companion? How boring. Elera will go over it all as there are different expectations for when we are alone, with company, at parties, and so on. I have no doubt you will pick it up easily. Although, you will have plenty to unlearn.”
I nodded as relief swept through me. I knew unlearning something was much harder than learning it thanks to Oros. He made that very clear at the beginning as I was used to certain freedoms with my family that he didn’t allow. But if I never had to follow his rules again, I’d be forever grateful to my new owner.
“But first a tour and a bath and new clothes and—” Mistress Belle covered Elera’s mouth with her hand, quieting the Beta.
“See, if I had a rule about speaking out of turn, Elera would never be allowed out of her cage.” Cage? I sucked in a breath. That was one thing Oros didn’t do to me. I was locked in my room but never in a cage.
“Despite what you’re thinking, you might find it enjoyable. It’s a safe place, my pet.”
I tried to believe her, but my past said I wouldn’t.
We pulled up to the front of the house, and I waited to follow Elera’s lead. Brant stopped the car and wound around the vehicle to open the door for us. Elera moved to the right side bench, and Mistress Belle exited. Elera grabbed my hand and dragged me out behind her.
“I’m trusting her with you, Elera, teach her well. You have until tomorrow night when we go to our first event. Order whatever you need and whatever she wants. I look forward to seeing you both together again.” Mistress Belle stepped forward and kissed Elera on the lips, tangling her fingers in her short, curly hair.
When she pulled away, Elera looked up at her like she was her world, and the sad fact that I would never feel that way ate at me as Mistress Belle placed another softer kiss on her forehead before turning to me. She gave me the same treatment, and as much as I loved her lips on mine, I hated the feel of her hand in my hair. It reminded me too much of him.
Instead of an adoring look or one of disgust, my face was kept neutral, although I knew some sadness shone through my blue eyes as I looked into her hazel ones.
“Whatever it is you’re hiding, stop it now, and tell Elera. Either she will handle it or involve me if needed. She might be in charge of you for now, but make no mistake, my pet, I own you and will hear about everything that happens, every little detail.” Mistress Belle swept her finger under my chin before entering the house and leaving us behind. The door remained open, and from what I could see, it was elegant, sultry, and far more comforting than any other house I had seen.
“How about a bath and some clothes first? The tour can wait. You look like you’re about to drop.” Her voice was low and kind with a hint of worry.
I didn’t want her to worry about me, but she wasn’t wrong. I felt like I could drop right here on the hard gravel and fall asleep for days. I honestly wasn’t sure if I ever would wake up. Every bit of me was exhausted and rundown.
I nodded and followed her inside. By the time we made it upstairs and into a suite, Elera was practically carrying me. I hadn’t paid attention to how we got here or much of the decor outside of liking it and noting that it fit with everything else. From the paintings to potted plants and the rugs and other furniture, it all felt right. And I promised myself to pay more attention when we went on the tour.
However, I did take in the suite. Elera sat me in a chair in the sitting area while she got the bath ready. The room was large, hosting a sitting area at the back with a small sofa and two matching chairs, all in a deep red and surrounding a cherry wood table with ornate legs. All of this was on top of a lush rug with a nature design filled with branches and leaves. The wall was a large window with heavy black curtains drawn shut. The fireplace sat behind me and the chairs.
The walls were a neutral gray that added to the dark and sultry vibe without clashing and went well with the lighter hardwood flooring.
The bed appeared larger than a king and was rather simple. It wasn’t a four-poster bed like many others had and was so inviting. It was loaded with pillows in deep greens and reds with a few creams mixed in. The bedding itself had a similar aesthetic to the rug but in a rich cotton with the softest cream throw blanket tossed over the foot of the bed.
The need to crawl in and nest was driving me nuts, but the bath was well needed. Maybe we could forgo the entire tour, and I could stay here and hibernate for a little while.
“You’ll be able to sleep soon enough. I see you drooling over the bed.” Elera’s soft voice came from behind me as she stepped out of the bathroom. There was a second door that I hadn’t noticed since my back was to it, but I assumed it was the closet. “This is Mistress Belle’s suite. It has the best bathtub, so I wanted you to use it. We will be in my room tonight, though.”
I cocked my head, having assumed they shared a room, but I supposed that didn’t fully make sense. They were in a relationship, but I wouldn’t necessarily call them a couple.
“She wants us to have our own space to exist in when she isn’t around or hasn’t enacted a punishment or command. You’ll have one too, and you can decorate it however you want. Same with your nest. Although, I will say that I am here every night minus a few when she is away and can’t take me with her.” Elera shook her head when I opened my mouth to ask about it and the nest. “I’ll explain later. It’s not important right now. The bath is, though, and getting you something to eat before crashing into bed.”
Nothing besides a direct command from Mistress Belle would make me argue with Elera. All of that sounded amazing, and I couldn’t believe they were still being so kind even behind closed doors.
A little trust formed, and I hoped it continued to grow, and one day, maybe, I’d love it here as they did.